PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: prelacy@aol.com

For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group

Catholicos Aram I Blesses New Western Prelacy Building

New Building to Usher in Era of Expanded Spiritual Role in Community

(Los Angeles, CA – October 12, 2005) – Saturday, October 8 marked a historic
day for the Western Prelacy as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, blessed the new building that will house the Western
Prelacy headquarters upon completion. The ceremony began with His Holiness
blessing a large cross that was then lifted with a crane and placed on top
of the dome that will house the St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel in the new
building in La Crescenta. While the building is not yet fully completed,
several hundred guests and clergy attended to witness the Pontiff’s blessing
of the new structure ushering in a new era of expanded spiritual leadership
for the church in the western United States.

Many of the major benefactors who made the building possible were on hand to
take part in the special occasion including Mrs. Ashken Pilavjian and Mr.
and Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrossian. Following the blessing and placement
of the cross, the Catholicos led a procession of clergy and benefactors into
the building to officially bless the alter inside and the overall building.

“This marks a historic day,” said Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
of the Western United States. The Archbishop thanked all the benefactors
who made the building possible as well as the tireless efforts of the
Prelacy Executive Council, the Building Committee and others who have worked
very hard to make the building a reality. “When our people work together
for the common good of the community no resources are beyond the reach of
those who take initiative,” the Archbishop continued. The Archbishop also
noted the presence of a representative from the Forest Lawn memorial park
that also made a sizeable donation for the Prelacy building.

His Holiness declared that this is not just a building that will house the
Prelacy’s offices but rather “it is the home of our faith and nation which
will serve our church and people.” The Catholicos also noted the integral
role played by Archbishop Mardirossian and the various benefactors and
committee members who drove the idea and realization of the structure. “May
God bless and look over all those who will care for and work in this
building and the Armenian American community who will support this effort,”
the Pontiff concluded.

The building is expected to be completed within a year at which time all
Prelacy functions will be consolidated at this location from their temporary
location which is currently in Encino.